Catching up with our Jubilarians

This year we’re delighted to celebrate sixteen Jubilarians!  If you received our Summer issue of Response, you know we asked them each two questions this year. 

1. What is your favorite verse from Scripture?
2. Which ministry of yours has had the greatest impact on you?  

Each response is unique, as you would expect, and many provide remarkable insights into each Sister’s vocation, gifts, and the opportunities that were presented to them.  

80 Years

Sr. Laurette DeChamplain    –   Sr. Albina Marie

Favorite verse from Scripture:

“Be still and know that I am love.”
Psalms 46:10

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

My various ministries included teaching Elementary School, High School, College, and teaching English as a second language to our Cameroonian Sisters. I’ve lead groups of students to Mexico and Europe, and served as a translator at Holy Union meetings.

Of my various ministries, translating impacted me the most because it led me to the root countries of The Holy Union, especially Douai and our Holy Founder’s grave. I also enjoyed meeting today’s Sisters and accepting their offers to drive me to shrines of importance in their areas. Their hospitality was great!

I often thank God for His gift of being bi-lingual.

75 Years

Sr. Antoinette Ouellette    –  Sr. Marie Irene        

Favorite verse from Scripture:
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh
me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside
the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me
in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake..”
 Psalm 23

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

My years of teaching in the U.S. were happy and challenging. However, those in Africa were special…teaching High School “En Francais” at College Jeanne d’Arc in N. Kongsamba (the French speaking area of East Cameroon).

We later went into the medical field in Baba (English speaking West Cameroon) where the Health Center had a Lab and Well Baby Clinic. It was a program for children under five years old. Both of these were my specialty. These years helped me to get to know the villagers and recognize that the mothers had no knowledge of Nutrition nor a Balanced Diet. We began monthly meetings to educate the mothers, which was much needed. It was gratifying to see that their questions made it very evident that they were eager to learn.

70 Years

Sr. Lorraine Boisvert    –   Sr. Robert Therese

Favorite verse from Scripture:

“Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather,
humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests, but [also]
everyone for those of others.  Have among yourselves the
same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:3-5

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

Teaching was a blessing. My big question was always: How can I get through to my students? I depended on the Holy Spirit to enlighten me. One mother asked me once where I got my ideas. From the Holy Spirit. I was always amazed to see how well the children responded. I could trust them to be at their best when they were on their own. They loved working on projects in the hallway on the floor. Working together was fun. Helping a classmate was rewarding. Now when I meet a former student I am pleased to hear how well they are doing.

I owe Sr. Irene Elizabeth for many good tips. She trained us well.

I owe Sr. Florence Richard for how well she taught us Math.

70 Years

Sr. Jean Carpinelli    –  Sr. Emma Francis        

Favorite verse from Scripture:

“God is love.”
1 John 4:1

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

Reflecting on my 70 years in Holy Union I find it challenging to choose which ministry has impacted me most. Though I enjoyed teaching for many years in Catholic schools, I was given the opportunity to go beyond the four walls of the classroom and to take part in a project designed to do more. Along came JPLL/Boys Hope (Girls).

Fr. Paul Sheridan, S.J., a priest from St. Louis, MO saw the needs of neglected and abandoned children and created a plan that would offer at risk youths a good education and a safe, stable and supportive place to live.  To help address those needs I was hired as Educator or Middle School Teacher.  My role was to prepare students for enrollment in Xavier High School. The time and individual attention given to each of our boys enabled them to overcome deficits in basic skills and to advance at their own pace.  When all my pupils were accepted into high school my particular teaching responsibilities were no longer needed.

At that time, a position as Residential Counselor became available, and I joined Sr. Mary Ellen Donahue, SUSC in the daily living of the house.  One could not help noticing the warm atmosphere that existed in the home where care and concern for everyone was the very heart of the program. I was amazed at how quickly each new boy became one of the family and over time accepted the values of respect, discipline and fairness. One young man wrote that Boys Hope gave him all the values kids are supposed to learn from parents: “how to trust and be trust worthy. How to want to help others because you have been helped.”  To watch the growth and inner strength of these teenagers as they matured was inspiring. It was a proud moment to see each one graduate from high school and go on to college.

Looking back, I treasure these memories and am grateful for having had the privilege of serving and sharing in the life of each of these young men.

65 Years

Sr. Mary Jean Audette    –   Sr. Mary

Favorite verse from Scripture:

As far as east is from the west, so far has he
removed our sins from us.
Psalms 103:12

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

It was in 1980, having graduated from Benjamin Nathan Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in New York City, that life took an entirely new turn. I learned of the need for women Religious in a little known diocese in West Texas named San Angelo. And, having received permission to accept a position in Social Ministry there, left New England for the life and work in a different (for me) world.
The teachings of Vatican II were beginning to be observed. Yet, in a part of the United States where the population was less than five percent Roman Catholic, there was not the thrust to make changes. Nevertheless, my eyes were opened to the needs of the people – so different from those I had been used to in New York and New England. Language, life style, work habits, housing, legal status all were on the top of the list.

My attitude was broadened and I learned to work in ecumenical cooperation – barriers gone – cognizant of the needs of people. That opened my eyes to the teachings of Jesus. Go forth to all nations … Here was an opportunity to become more active in Church and to participate more fully based on individual and societal needs – an exciting time. Our Holy Union Constitutions state that we are To be at the Heart of the world revealing God’s love. Then we must be!

I saw that following my move to West Texas and later in my life and ministry in other states in the Mid-South. Broader vision, awareness of the needs of many different peoples, of different races, and of different religious beliefs. And of the legal status of many of the persons in places where I ministered. I helped undocumented individuals and families: some to achieve legal status; others to be represented in the Immigration Court then in effect.

A new life began for me on my first day in law school in 1977 and continues even up to today. Of course, there were some bumps along the way, but I wouldn’t change any of it.

65 Years

Sr. Ann Boland    –   Sr. Mary David        

Favorite verse from Scripture:

“I have called you by your name and you are mine….
And I will be with you until the end of time.”
Isaiah 43:1 and
Matthew 28:2

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

It is difficult to choose one mission rather than another…as I have always thoroughly enjoyed my time with young children at the beginning of their academic lives in Baltimore, Taunton, and even Astoria with 70 second graders on session, and my time at Holy Union Primary school…watching it grow from a nursery in the convent basement to a great non-graded school of the integrated day. What a joy to be part of their sacramental journey receiving Eucharist for the first time and learning to express their creativity through the arts.

Working in the Catechetical field through Boston and Fall River Diocesan Programs in their outreach to new catechists was most rewarding.
It was grand to be with the story-filled elderly at the end of their lives and help bring joy and happiness as they prepared to step into a new life. I also enjoyed working with many to master our difficult language.

Now I’m enjoying a totally different opportunity to walk with families in RCIA and Special Sacrament ceremonies as they seek to instill the love of the Lord and celebrate him together as families, most of whom are new to our culture. They are coming with amazing traditions and experiences to share with one another and how grateful I am to journey with them.

65 Years

Sr. Patricia Deasy    –  Sr. Richard Marie

Favorite verse from Scripture:

“This is my commandment: love one
another as I love you”
John 15:12

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

Every June as I watch the seniors process down the aisle of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to receive their diplomas, I am aware that it is because these young women are surrounded by loving, supportive families, sponsors, friends, and the staff and faculty of Cathedral High School that they have achieved this milestone. Most of the Cathedral students are minorities from low-income homes and the first in their families to go to college. They have received many scholarships to arrive at this place. I thank God for the call to be a part of this ministry within such a dedicated and supportive community.

As a guidance counselor and social worker for the 9th and 10th graders I meet with them and assist them to achieve academically while also encouraging them to be grateful for their education and use their gifts to help others. New York City offers many opportunities for low-income and minority students, but they need to be made aware of these opportunities. Rockefeller, Columbia, Fordham and New York University offer free academic programs to better prepare them for college and help them to explore academic subjects they may want
to study in the future. In addition to academic opportunities, there are clinics available for students and their families who are experiencing psychological difficulties. I am aware that it takes a village and a loving God to make all this possible.

Throughout my religious life I have been happy ministering in each place where I served. As I reflect on these experiences, I am grateful to God for my call to Holy Union, for my family, my Sisters, my friends and for all those who minister beside me.

65 Years

Sr. Ann Kernan    –   Sr. Edward Regina        

Favorite verse from Scripture:

“This is what God asks of you,only this…
to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk
humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

Most of my years in ministry have been in service to the underserved and with peoples of other cultures. I must share three times and places of ministry, for each has impacted me in a unique way and brought me to where I am today.

In the 1960’s I was in Elizabeth City, NC, teaching in our southern mission school (three grades in one classroom). It was a time of sit-ins and riots and Ku-Klux-Klan. I experienced first-hand the deep prejudice towards our African-American people. During those five years I was called to “act justly”.

During the 70’s and 80’s I continued as an educator in schools and in a day-care center in the inner city of Baltimore. For 16 years I witnessed these African-American parents who sacrificed much in order to give their children a better education and to move out of poverty. I witnessed a spirit of joy and celebration in the midst of great suffering. Throughout this time, I was called to “love tenderly”.

For the past 28 years I have been ministering with the underserved in Monticello, KY, a ministry of presence among Appalachian women and families and among the Hispanic immigrants. “Availability” sums up ministry here, assisting those who lack proper housing, education, employment, transportation, food medical attention, journeying with those in need. I express my deepest gratitude for our Holy Union Community and all who have supported these ministries as I continue to be called to “walk humbly with my God”.

65 Years

Sr. Beatrice Rogers    –  Sr. Rose Joseph

Favorite verse from Scripture:

 “…For those who love God all things work out
for the good”.
Romans 8:28

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

When I entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Union in Groton, MA on September 8, 1955, I was a teenager who had just graduated from St. John the Baptiste High School in Pawtucket, RI. At the time, I had many concerns and fears. Fear should not be a part of our life. The Lord inspired me with this beautiful quote from Romans 8:28, “…For those who love God all things work out for the good”. My life has been very different since that day. I try spreading this beautiful passage with all those with whom I communicate by mail with this saying on my return address labels.

For 26 years, I taught Primary Grades and enjoyed working with children. Since there was a need to care for the shut-ins at St. John the Baptiste Parish in Pawtucket, RI, I volunteered my services while continuing to teach. In 1986, the Pastor at Notre Dame in Central Falls was looking for someone to do Pastoral Care to the sick, elderly and shut-ins in Central Falls. I visited parishioners in four high-rises, hospitals, shut-ins, and had help with ministering weekly to every Catholic resident in four nursing homes. I tried to be the “hands and feet of Christ” in all my visits. Visiting the most vulnerable parishioners brought me so much joy. It was easy to see Christ in the faces of those I visited.

The SPRED Program became another part of my job description. With the help of six volunteers, I started the program. We taught religion to the Special Needs Children in the city until they received their sacraments. Although I retired in 2014, I continue to minister to shut-ins three days each week.

I’m grateful to my parents, family, Holy Union Sisters and friends who have been a great part of my life through their prayer, encouragement and support. I try to live out “Our call is to be at the heart of the world revealing God’s love.: Art. 1 Constitutions of the Holy Union

65 Years

Sr. Eileen Lavin    –  Sr. Regina Miriam

Favorite verse from Scripture:

“The Lord is my Shepherd there is nothing I shall want.”
Psalm 23

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

As I look back on the many years I spent teaching primary grades I think of all the children I taught and places where I ministered. Truthfully, I loved teaching and especially to see the progress children made in their beginning years of school.

The one ministry that impacted me the most was teaching the Hearing Impaired children in the New York City Public Schools. This ministry came about when I had a tragic accident that injured my vocal chords. At first, I thought I would be unable to assume my ministry of teaching which I truly loved. But God in His goodness had other plans for me. These were not made known to me for a period of time that included surgery, recuperation and speech therapy. With God’s help and encouragement from my Religious Community and my physician I undertook a complete new career. I attended Hunter College in New York City to learn and be certified as a teacher of American Sign Language. This qualified me to become a teacher of Hearing Impaired students. I was then hired by the Public Schools of the City of New York to teach young children who were hearing impaired to communicate through American Sign Language in a public school in the Bronx.

My students were young children which from my former teaching ministry made my teaching these students a new form of communication very rewarding. They were thrilled when they were able to communicate with one another. Their parents were very much a part of their experience as well, and were so grateful to have their child be able to express themselves. I spent many life-giving and happy years in this ministry. As I celebrate my 65th Anniversary as a Holy Union Sister I am very grateful for the many years I ministered as a primary grade teacher. I am retired and living in Fall River, Massachusetts at Landmark Senior Living. We are a Community of ten Holy Union Sisters who continue our ministry of revealing God’s love by our presence among ninety residents.

60 Years

Sr. Yvette Ladurantaye    –   Sr. Marc Cecilia        

Favorite verse from Scripture:

And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, to love mercy and to walk
humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

As I reflect back over the last 60 years, the ten years I served as principal at the Country Day School of the Holy Union have impacted me the most.  The years of ministry in school leadership were both challenging and rewarding . Though the demands and expectations were always present, the opportunity to work in a caring school community with dedicated teachers, students who learned well, and parents who were supportive and involved was a gift I will always carry with me.

60 Years

Sr. Theresa Horvath    –   Sr. Kenneth Agnes        

Favorite verse from Scripture:

“To other towns also I must proclaim the Good News,
and for this is why I have been sent.”
Luke 4:41

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

When I was leaving my ministry as Co-director of Religious Education at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Baltimore, Maryland, a catechist gifted me with a needlepoint inscription of this Scripture verse. Since 1984 these words of Jesus have informed my ministry, as for many years I realized they already had.

My life as a woman religious has unfolded for 60 years guided by three aspects: receiving a call, entering discernment and being sent on mission. Called to enter religious life, discerning which Congregation to join and then leaving my roots in Baltimore was the first step on this evolving journey.  First, I moved to Fall River, Massachusetts for formation and professional teacher training. Anxiously we awaited the day after 5 years to be missioned – and, oh, the places I’ve been!

To choose which ministry I appreciated the most is nearly impossible. Each call to bring the Good News has been filled with opportunities, challenges, learning and growth. The paths of discernment of my journeys through ministry have been a spiral effect of one mission building on and leading into another: teaching Junior High children in New Jersey and then Senior High theology in Fall River; returning to my home parish in Baltimore as Principal and then another Parish for Pastoral Ministry and faith formation; back up Route 95 to Fall River as Coordinator of Personnel and Ministry and back down Route 95 to Baltimore as Director of Pastoral Care at Mercy Medical Center; called to province leadership as Provincial and then as a member the first US Province Mission Team; next to Chicago to CTU to connect with my earlier Graduate education in theology roots at Notre Dame at the Catholic Theological Union Sabbatical; this led to my moving to Richmond, Virginia as mission leader in the Bon Secours Health System opening a new hospital and then moving to the city for another role in mission integration. Life had a final journey in ministry for me when I was elected to our General Council and was based in Rome for six years. Almost every ministry in which I was involved was enriched with abundant opportunities for growth and the formation of relationships from local to national levels.

Through all of the towns in which I have lived and with the numerous people who entered my life through ministry, our Holy Union charism and call “to be at the heart of the world revealing God’s love.”(Art 1) informed my discernment. Our Congregation has often used the phrase that we were ”missioned”. Now with our evolving vision articulated from the Collegial Assembly 2017, we realize that we are called to “Be Mission ~ and live in life giving relationship with the whole of creation.” May this call, discernment and being sent continue to sustain my life for the journey ahead.

60 Years

Sr. Alice Michael    –  Sr. Virginia Emmanuel

Favorite verse from Scripture:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the
oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year
acceptable to the Lord.
Luke 4:18-19

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

For me this passage encompasses the multi-dimension of Jesus’ mission which ultimately has been entrusted to His followers. It challenges me in my daily living out of my vocation. The myriad facets of ministries with all ages and cultures during my forty years at the Brooklyn Diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis gave me innumerable opportunities to help me live out this call. Something that I have always been so grateful for is that my ministries have helped my personal growth as well as my being an instrument in the formation (both English and Spanish) of children and their families, youth, adults, deacons, catechists and catechetical leaders and those seeking the Easter sacraments through the beautiful process of RCIA.

Another joy very close to my heart and for which I have often been teased is my love for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd which is based on the methodology of Maria Montessori. It is priceless to be a part of and witness the children’s joy and awe as they come to know Jesus and His Word through manipulatives and many “hands on” experiences. Ministering in a very multicultural diocese has given me many opportunities to call on our charism of union and reconciliation as well as respond to so many needs of our poor: collecting clothes, involvement in our parish food pantry and homeless shelter, etc. My 60 years of consecrated life have indeed been a tremendous blessing and gift from God.

50 Years

Sr. Marie Baldi    –   Sr. Marie Baldi        

Favorite verse from Scripture:

“Thus says Yahweh: Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you;  I have called you by your name, you are mine.”
Isaiah 43: 1-5

Of all your ministries, which has had the most impact on you?

I firmly believe that God called me to be a Holy Union Sister and continues to call me each and every day. It was not a once upon a time call but an ongoing call to which I respond by saying “Here I am” every day!

Holy Union Sisters staffed Immaculate Conception School, Astoria where I went to elementary school. The Sisters with whom I had contact over the eight years I was a student at “Immac” were great teachers and role models for me. When I was in high school, some of the sisters invited me to participate in retreats for young women.

After attending St. John’s University in New York for one year, I entered our Holy Union Community on August 30, 1970. During my early years, I prepared for my life as a Holy Union Sister. I participated in a formation program at St. Stephen ‘s Priory in Dover Massachusetts along with novices from other religious communities. I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education at Bridgewater State University.

It was only after some years that I learned that we were an international congregation with sisters in many countries. As a member of an international congregation, many opportunities have opened for me. Just after taking my final vows in 1980, I was selected to participate in an international renewal program in Rome where I met sisters from all areas of our congregation. At the end of the program in Rome we traveled to northern France and visited the places where John Baptist Debrabant and our founding sisters began the congregation. Over the years, I have met many of our sisters when they visited the United States and in 2017, I was invited to participate in our Collegial Assembly, an international meeting held every six years.

Although Holy Union in the United States is in different locations mainly on the east coast, we make it a priority to come together each summer for a few days. Because of these yearly gatherings, I’ve come to know each of our Sisters. Through the years I have felt their care and support as well as from those with whom I have lived and shared ministry.

In thinking back over my years of ministry, I cannot choose just one ministry as my favorite. Each and every ministry and community provided me with new challenges and opportunities for growth. Although I entered at a time when our ministries were broadening beyond formal education,I knew I wanted to work in a Catholic school setting. I have been blessed to work in parishes and schools that know our community.

I began teaching in at Saint Francis de Sales School in New York City. I then came to Fall River where I taught grades five through eight at St. Michael School. My first experience as a principal was at All Saints Academy in Middletown, Rhode Island. In 1998 I joined the staff at the Taunton Catholic Middle School where I had done my student teaching while at Bridgewater. I returned to St. Michael School in 1998, first as a teacher and then principal for 22 years. In 2016 I came back to Taunton once more to teach at Coyle & Cassidy High School & Middle School up to this year. In the fall I will be teaching middle school classes at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton.

My life has been enriched and I am who I am because of my experiences and encounters through the years with my Holy Union Sisters as well as my colleagues and my close-knit Italian American family. I know that God’s promise in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah “Do not be afraid for I am with you” will continue to sustain me in whatever the future holds for me.